In this letter, George Clinton, the first Governor of New York writes to his friend
Thomas Jefferson, the man whom would later be elected as Vice President, in regard
to the transfer of land in Montauk, Long Island, New York to the United States of
America. The Second United States Congress under president George Washington subsequently
appropriated $20,000 on March 2, 1793 to build a lighthouse in Montauk. Construction
of the lighthouse located on Turtle Hill began on June 7, 1796 and was completed on
November 5, 1796. With New York State through Governor Clinton "ceding the Jurisdiction
of certain Lands on Montauck Point" to the infant United States, the establishment
of one of the nation's earliest historic national monuments was made possible.

Transcription

New York 21st Feb 1793

Sir,

I have the honor to transmit you (herewith enclosed) an Exemplification of an Act of the Legislature of this State ceding the Jurisdiction of certain Lands on Montauck Point to the United States of America for the Purposes in the said Act mentioned to be with the highest respect.